Jets Officially Trade For Seahawks WR Percy Harvin

October 18, 2014

Update:

The Jets have officially announced Saturday that they have acquired WR Percy Harvin from the Seahawks.

Harvin has obviously passed his physical with the Jets.
New York also announced the release of WR David Nelson.

Ian Rapoport reports that the Jets traded a conditional sixth-round pick that can become a fourth-round selection to the Seahawks in return for Harvin.

Rich Cimini reports that the Jets will pick up Harvin’s existing contract without any renegotiation.

Statement from Jets GM John Idzik:

“Percy is a versatile, dynamic player who has been productive on offense and special teams. We’re excited about adding him to the Jets.”

Statement from Seahawks GM John Schneider:

“Although this was an extremely difficult decision, we are constantly evaluating our team and believe at this time that this is in our best interest to move the team forward. We thank Percy for his efforts that contributed to a Super Bowl XLVIII victory and wish him well.”

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Jay Glazer of Fox Sports is reporting that the Jets are sending a conditional draft pick to the Seahawks in return for WR Percy Harvin.

Glazer mentions that the trade is still contingent upon Harvin passing a physical, but they have traveled to St. Louis without him.

Jason La Canfora is hearing that the conditional draft the Seahawks will receive in return for Harvin could be a fourth-round pick that can become a second-round selection based on his performance.
Adam Schefter reports that the move was made because the Seahawks felt that Harvin was not a fit with their team.
Mike Garafolo mentions that the Seahawks have been “nosing around” in the trade market for Harvin in recent weeks.

There is no question that the Jets had to find some receiver help, but this is certainly surprising news as there had been no indication of the Seahawks shopping Harvin around.

Seattle has been trying figure out a way to get Harvin more involved in their offense, but the results have been disappointing thus far.

Rapoport confirms that OC Darrell Bevell struggled to get him integrate in their game plans and adds that Harvin is not the easiest player to deal with in locker room.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk mentions that there was stress between Harvin and QB Russell Wilson as Wilson reportedly feeling “too much pressure to get the ball to Harvin.“
Albert Beer reports that anger management issues were part of the problem in Seattle.
According to a team source that spoke to Mike Freeman, “Percy didn’t want to be here. We accommodated him.”

Harvin, 26, came over in a trade with the Vikings back in March of last year. The Seahawks sent a 2013 first-round and seventh-round pick to go along with a 2014 third-round pick.

The Vikings wound up drafting CB Xavier Rhodes, OL Travis Bond and RB Jerick McKinnon with these selections.

It wasn’t long after that the Seahawks signed Harvin to a six-year, $67 million contract that included $25.5 million guaranteed. He’s currently in the second year of this contract and will make $11 million this season and another $10.5 million in 2015.

Harvin will make a total of $41.5 million over the next four years, so it appears as though the Jets have begun to use some of their cap space to upgrade their roster.

Rapoport mentions that there is no more guaranteed money included Harvin’s contract, so this could end up being a tryout for him with the Jets.
The Seahawks will carry $7.2 million in dead money next year after this move, according to Jason Fitzgerald.
Meanwhile, Harvin will count $6.5 million against the Jets cap this year, per Fitzgerald.

As for the Seahawks, this will free up some cap space that they can use to lock some player like QB Russell Wilson and LT Russell Okung to contract extensions.

Over the course of five games this season, Harvin has caught 22 passes for 133 yards receiving and contributed another 92 yards rushing and a touchdown.